Tea is not just a beverage; it's a global phenomenon that has quenched thirst and soothed spirits for thousands of years. The story of tea from a medicinal leaf to a worldwide staple drink is a story of domestication and cultivation that began more than 4000 years ago. Today, tea grows in more than 52 countries in tropical and subtropical climates. It has become a significant crop for many developing nations, with China and India leading as the top producers worldwide. The heart of tea's diversity lies in its countless varieties, each contributing its taste, aroma, and flavor to the world of t ..read more

"Full, thick body", "a robust, woody base with accentuated floral notes", "delightfully sweet aftertaste". You probably heard these coming from the tea crowd more often than not. If you're new to the world of tasting tea, it might seem like some high knowledge accessible only to a few selected. In case that sounds too complicated, we assure you that tea tasting and evaluation aren't reserved solely for the connoisseurs. Instead, it is a sensory experience for the most part, and much like the skilled work of wine sommeliers, it is approachable and enriching for every tea lover out there. Today ..read more

In China, the homeland of tea, the rich tradition of tea crafting has given us the six significant types we love today. With some of the highest quality teas coming from there, it's no wonder that tea lovers and connoisseurs consume it in its pure state. That way, they can appreciate the depth of flavor and aroma unique to each tea type and variety. Yet, there's a parallel tradition that intertwines the age-old wisdom of medicine with tea. It does so by creating tea blends that are both therapeutic and aromatic. This tradition is deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where tea i ..read more

Brewing the perfect cup of tea – the hailed summit that every tea lover strives for during the years of practice and dedication! Indeed, to brew tea in the best way is an art that includes several key components: the quality of the tea leaves, the temperature and nature of the water, and the steeping time, considered the Holy Trinity of them all. When it comes to fine tuning, though, some low-key factors strongly impact the outcome. The technique used for pouring water is one of them. While most of us pay close attention to the type of tea and the water temperature, the way we pour water over ..read more

In the previous blog post, we explored a hidden gem in the 22-million megapolis of Shenzhen – a tea house-turned-private museum of a renowned tea person, lover, and collector. Mr. Chen, the president of the Chaoshan Tea Association in Shenzhen, has a lifelong passion for tea and Gongfu Cha culture. With him as our guide, we embarked on a journey through time, discovering antique Gongfu Cha memorabilia, the air of then-times, and the stories hidden behind those objects. In this blog post, we continue our journey in the Gongfu Cha realm, sipping high-quality almond-flavored Dancong Wulong, divin ..read more

A tea journey anywhere in Guangdong would not be complete without a visit dedicated to Gongfu tea culture and practice. Lucky for us, the 22-million megapolis of Shenzhen is not just near Chaozhou, the cradle of Gongfu tea - and aromatic Dancong Wulong. Many Chaozhou people moved there in the last four decades, making Shenzhen their new home. They have carried their culture and customs with them, establishing some of the most vibrant Gongfu tea communities in China and beyond. Currently, there are several tea associations, as well as a great number of tea companies and tea spaces originating f ..read more

In our previous blog post, we strolled to a local tea market in the bustling 22-million Chinese megapolis Shenzhen. We roamed through heaps and stacks of all types of loose-leaf tea and pressed tea. We immersed ourselves in an ambiance of contemplative serenity. We witnessed the Asian tea aesthetics and entered a small oasis of bamboo groves, wooden houses, and flowing rivers amidst the glass and concrete of the urban jungle. Last but not least, we chatted with tea merchants and tasted different types of tea, from Sheng Pu-erh tea cakes to sweet and comforting Shou Pu-erh in a memorable tea ta ..read more

No visit to China would be complete without tea! And tea tasting at a local tea market is a must for all tea lovers. A visit to a Chinese tea market is a delightful experience beyond just sipping and savoring; you become part of a tradition that shaped the history of an entire civilization – and one of the world’s oldest ones! It is at the tea market that you will get to know loose-leaf tea or aged tea like never before.   Imagine yourself walking through rows of stalls filled with jars, bins, or baskets of tea leaves, each offering a unique flavor and story. The sellers are usually frien ..read more

Diving into the world of tea unveils a vast spectrum of experiences, flavors, and knowledge, each variety holding its unique story and essence. In this article, we'll compare Raw Pu-erh tea (or Sheng Pu-erh) with Green tea. These teas, each revered in its own right, originate from the same plant but diverge vastly in their journey from leaf to cup, offering different narratives of taste, aroma, and experience. At first glance, both teas might seem very alike. They use similar processing; ongoing discussions in the tea world question whether Raw Pu-erh tea belongs to the Green tea category ..read more

Ah, the vibrant world of tea, where passionate drinkers delve deep into the intricacies of their beloved brews. One could easily get lost for hours, scrolling through forum posts and group discussions, reading about the best teapots, the ideal cups, and the recommended ways to experience various teas. "You must get a silver tea set!" one person asserts, while another swears by the transformative powers of a ZiNi or ZhuNi clays. And yet another passionately vouches for the unique characteristics of DuanNi. Recommendations, as abundant as the tea leaves themselves, flow freely in the tea communi ..read more